Capacitive touch vehicle accessory

ABSTRACT

A system for a vehicle having an accessory positioned along the vehicle. The system may also include a sensor located along the vehicle in wireless communication with the accessory, wherein the sensor triggers activation of the accessory based on input from an external source.

FIELD

The present teachings generally relate to a vehicle, and moreparticularly, to a vehicle having one or more capacitive touch or remoteaccessories.

BACKGROUND

Vehicle consumers continue to transition from traditional passengersedans into Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV's) and trucks for everydaytransportation and use. Accordingly, these consumers are often seekingthe same conveniences found on the more traditional sedans in their SUVand truck. These conveniences may include, but are not limited to,remote starting of the vehicle, keyless entry, push-start, wirelessconnectivity, power-operated doors and tailgates, or a combinationthereof.

In an effort to provide consumers with more of theses conveniences,vehicle manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers are continuing toadvance technology, making it easier and more affordable for consumersto get many of the aforementioned conveniences. For example, manytraditional sedans may include a vehicle key fob that is recognized bythe vehicle from a distance to open the doors of the vehicle.Additionally, the vehicle may often include a capacitive touch sensorlocated along one or more handles of the vehicle to allow for keylessentry by detecting the key fob on the vehicle user.

However, the conventional conveniences being advanced in the market oftraditional sedans have unfortunately not extended beyond thetraditional locking and unlocking of vehicle doors. Additionally, due tothe design of the SUV's and trucks, many additional accessories may bepresent that have not been designed for ease of use. For example, atruck may include a tailgate and/or tonneau cover disposed over a cargobox of the vehicle that both require manual operation to open and close.While attempts have been made to improve operability of secondaryaccessories such as a tonneau cover by wiring a button directly to theaccessories, there is still significant room for improvement. Wring suchbuttons may require further running of wires throughout the vehicle,making for complex vehicle designs, additional costs in manufacturing,increased labor and materials, or a combination. Additionally, hardwiring such buttons still requires a significant amount of userinteraction and may have very little ability for differentconfigurations for operation.

Thus, there remains a need for a vehicle system having additionalfunctionality to operate accessories of the vehicle. What is needed isone or more sensors that wirelessly connect to the accessories. Thereremains a need for a vehicle system that decreases physical userinteraction to operate one or more accessories. What is needed is avehicle system having wireless sensing of a user within a definedproximity to automatically operate one or more accessories.Additionally, there remains a need for a vehicle system allowing fordiverse configuration and operation of one or more accessories of thevehicle. What is needed is a vehicle system that connects to theaccessories free of wiring between the system and the accessories toallow for a variety of configurations and functions.

SUMMARY

The present teachings meet one or more of the present needs by providinga system for a vehicle comprising: an accessory positioned along thevehicle; and a sensor located along the vehicle in wirelesscommunication with the accessory, wherein the sensor triggers activationof the accessory based on input from an external source.

The system herein may include a sensor positioned along a top edge ofthe cargo box. The sensor may be integrated into a bed cap of the cargobox. The sensor may be a capacitive touch sensor that receives a signalbased on a user contacting the sensor, and the sensor sends a wirelesssignal to the accessory to activate the accessory. The accessory may bea tonneau cover disposed over a top edge of the cargo box, and thesensor wirelessly sends a signal to an actuator of the tonneau cover tomove the tonneau cover between an open position and a closed position,or vice versa. The accessory may be a tailgate at least partiallyenclosing the cargo box, and the sensor wirelessly sends a signal to anactuator of the tailgate to move the tailgate between an open positionand a closed position, or vice versa.

Additionally, the sensor may receive a contactless input from anexternal source when the external source is within a defined proximityto the sensor. Upon receiving the contactless input, the sensor mayactivate the accessory. The external source may be a fob that sends asignal to the sensor when entering the defined proximity, therebytriggering the sensor to activate a light of the vehicle. The accessorymay be a tailgate at least partially enclosing the cargo box, a tonneaucover disposed over at least a portion of the cargo box, or both. Thesensor may be located on a tailgate of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the accessory may be a light located within an inner areaof the cargo box, and the sensor activates the light to illuminate theinner area of the cargo box. The accessory may include a receiver thatreceives a signal from the sensor based on the input from the externalsource. The external source may be a vehicle key fob, cellular device,radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, or a combination thereof. Thesensor may be a capacitive touch sensor that wirelessly controlsmovement of the tonneau cover between the open position and the closedposition based upon a user contacting the sensor. The sensor may be acapacitive touch sensor that wirelessly controls movement of thetailgate between the open position and the closed position based upon auser contacting the sensor. Additionally, the system may be free of anywiring running between the sensor and the accessory; the accessory maybe a tonneau cover disposed over a top edge of the cargo box, and thesensor is integrated directly into the tonneau cover to wirelesslyactivate movement of the tonneau cover; or both.

Moreover, the present teachings meet one or more of the present needs byproviding a system for a vehicle having a cargo box at least partiallyenclosed by a tailgate, the system comprising: (a) a tonneau coverdisposed over a top edge of the cargo box, the tailgate, or both; (b)lights located along an exterior of the cargo box, an interior of thecargo box, or both; (c) a first sensor located on the cargo box or thetonneau cover in wireless communication with the tonneau cover toactuate the tonneau cover between an open position and a closedposition, or vice versa; (d) a second sensor located on the cargo box orthe tailgate in wireless communication with the tailgate to actuate thetailgate between an open position and a closed position, or vice versa;and (e) a third sensor located on the cargo box, the tailgate, or thetonneau cover in wireless communication with a light of the vehicle;wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are capacitive touchsensors that actuate the tonneau cover and the tailgate, respectively,based upon a user contacting the touch sensor; and wherein the thirdsensor is a proximity sensor that receives a wireless signal from a fobwhen the fob enters a defined proximity circle around the vehicle. Thefirst sensor and the second sensor may actuate both the tonneau coverand the tailgate.

Additionally, the present teachings meet one or more of the presentneeds by providing: a vehicle system having additional functionality tooperate accessories of the vehicle; one or more sensors that wirelesslyconnect to the accessories; a vehicle system that decreases physicaluser interaction to operate one or more accessories; a vehicle systemhaving wireless sensing of a user within a defined proximity toautomatically operate one or more accessories; a vehicle system allowingfor diverse configuration and operation of one or more accessories ofthe vehicle; a vehicle system that connects to the accessories free ofwiring between the system and the accessories to allow for a variety ofconfigurations and functions; or a combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle having a sensor.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle having a plurality of sensors.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a vehicle having a plurality of sensors.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a vehicle illustrating a proximitysensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended toacquaint others skilled in the art with the teachings, its principles,and its practical application. Those skilled in the art may adapt andapply the teachings in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to therequirements of a particular use. Accordingly, the specific embodimentsof the present teachings as set forth are not intended as beingexhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachingsshould, therefore, be determined not with reference to the descriptionherein, but should instead be determined with reference to the appendedclaims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claimsare entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, includingpatent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference forall purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleanedfrom the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated byreference into this written description.

The present teachings generally relate to a vehicle and a system for avehicle. The vehicle may be any type of automobile, such as a car,truck, SUV, commercial vehicle, or a combination thereof. The vehiclemay include a system integrating one or more accessories into thevehicle. The accessories may be assembly as part of the vehicle by theOriginal Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), may be provided as a secondaryaftermarket accessory, or a combination thereof. The accessories mayinclude one or more lights, one or more latches, one or more actuators,one or more mirrors, one or more doors, one or more interioraccessories, one or more exterior accessories, or a combination thereof.

The accessories may be located near or along a cargo box of the vehicle.The cargo box may be defined as a storage portion of the vehicleadjacent to a cabin of the vehicle. The cargo box may be partiallyenclosed, fully enclosed, or both. The cargo box may include one or moreopenings, one or more doors, or a combination thereof.

The cargo box may include a tailgate. The tailgate may function to atleast partially enclose the cargo box. The tailgate may function as anaccess point into the cargo box. The tailgate may be considered anaccessory of the cargo box. The tailgate may be moveable between an openposition and a closed position. The open position may be when thetailgate is substantially parallel to the ground and provides an openaccess point into the cargo box. The closed position may be when thetailgate is substantially perpendicular to the ground and substantiallyencloses at least a portion of the cargo box. The tailgate may also moveand/or be secured in one or more positioned between the open positionand the closed position. The tailgate may be manually operated by a useror may be actuated by one or more powered actuators. The tailgate mayoperate with physical user interaction or may be actuated remotely.

The tailgate may be used in conjunction with a tonneau cover. Thetonneau cover may function to protect against dirt, debris, water, othercontaminants, or a combination thereof from entering an inside of acargo box. The tonneau cover may be a cover that functions to concealthe inside of the cargo box and/or any contents inside the cargo box.The tonneau cover may be placed over the cargo bed of a vehicle, such asa pickup truck. As such, the tonneau cover may also be considered anaccessory of the vehicle.

The tonneau cover may comprise multiple enclosure panels or a singlepanel. One or more of the panels may be moved or repositioned relativeto one another to move the tonneau cover between an open position and aclosed position. One or more of the panels may be substantially rigid.One or more of the panels may be substantially flexible but may bestabilized with a rigid frame. Alternatively, the tonneau cover may be asingle panel cover. The single panel cover may be raised or pivotedrelative to the walls or top edges of the cargo box and/or tailgate toreposition the tonneau cover between an open position and a closedposition.

The open or raised position of the tonneau cover may be when the tonneaucover, or at least one enclosure panel of the tonneau cover, is freefrom contacting, engaging, or is spaced apart from: the tailgate, a topedge of the tailgate, the walls of the cargo bed, a top edge or topsurface of the one or more walls of the cargo bed, or a combinationthereof. The closed or lowered position of the tonneau cover may be whenthe tonneau cover, or at least one enclosure panel of the tonneau cover,is in contact with, engages, or rests on the tailgate, a top edge or topsurface of the tailgate, a top edge or top surface of the one or morewalls of the cargo box, or a combination thereof, but applies less forceor pressure thereon compared to when the tonneau cover is in the closedor lowered position. Therefore, the tonneau cover may also provide oneor more positions where the tonneau cover may be partially open orraised partially closed or lowered, or a combination thereof.

The tonneau cover may be operated manually by a user. The tonneau covermay be actuated by one or more electronic actuators. For example, thetonneau cover may include a an actuator such as a striker assembly thatarticulates one or more panels of the tonneau cover to allow for thetailgate to move between an open and closed position, or vice versa,without encumbrance or interference by the tonneau cover.

The one or more striker assemblies may function to at least partiallymove, displace, open, raise, pop-open, separate, or a combinationthereof the tonneau cover away from a top edge or surface of thetailgate, a top edge or surface of the cargo box, or both. For example,as the tailgate begins to be lowered or drawn down into an openposition, the one or more striker assemblies may simultaneously orcontemporaneously at least partially move, displace, open, raise,pop-open, separate, or a combination thereof at least a portion of thetonneau cover away from the top edge of the tailgate, the top edge ofthe cargo box, or both. Doing so may advantageously reduce or eliminatefriction, contact, drag, sticking, or a combination thereof between thetonneau cover and the tailgate while the tailgate is being opened orlowered. For example, the one or more striker assemblies may provide foropening or lowering the tailgate with lower a force, prevent scratchingor other damage to either or both of the inside surface of the tonneaucover and the tailgate, or both.

The one or more striker assemblies may be adapted to at least partiallymove, displace, open, raise, pop-open, separate, or a combinationthereof at least a portion of the tonneau cover away from the top edgeof the tailgate, the top edge of the cargo box, or both immediatelybefore the tailgate begins to be lowered or drawn down into the openposition. For example, the one or more striker assemblies may move thetonneau cover when the tailgate latch or handle is manipulated, butbefore the tailgate is actually moved. Alternatively, the one or morestriker assemblies may be adapted to at least partially move, displace,open, raise, pop-open, or separate at least a portion of the tonneaucover away from the top edge of the tailgate, the top edge of the cargobox, or both immediately after the tailgate begins to be lowered ordrawn down into the open position.

The one or more striker assemblies may be adapted to at least partiallymove, close, lower, pull-down, draw, or a combination thereof thetonneau cover towards the top edge of the tailgate, the top edge of thecargo box, or both after the tailgate is moved into the closed or raisedposition. Alternatively, as the tailgate begins to be raised or pushedup into the closed position, the striker assembly may at least partiallymove, close, lower, pull-down, draw, or a combination thereof at least aportion of the tonneau cover towards the top edge of the tailgate, thetop edge of the cargo box, or both. The one or more striker assembliesmay at least partially move, close lower, pull-down, draw, or acombination thereof at least a portion of the tonneau cover towards thetop edge of the tailgate, the top edge of the cargo box, or bothimmediately before the tailgate is moved into the final raised or closedposition. The one or more striker assemblies may move the tonneau coverinto the closed position at substantially the same time that thetailgate is moved into the raised or closed position. Moving thetailgate into the closed position according to any one of theaforementioned sequences may advantageously reduce or eliminatefriction, contact, drag, sticking, or a combination thereof between thetonneau cover and the tailgate while the tailgate is being closed orraised. For example, the striker assembly may provide for closing orraising the tailgate with lower a force, prevent scratching or otherdamage to either or both of the inside surface of the tonneau cover andtailgate, or both.

It is envisioned that a system may be integrated into the vehicle tooperate the tailgate, the tonneau cover, additional accessories, or acombination thereof. The system may include one or more sensorsconnected to the accessories. The sensors may be wired directly to theaccessories to send an electric signal from the sensors to theaccessories, or vice versa. However, it is envisioned that the sensorsmay be wirelessly connected to the accessories. Advantageously, wirelessconnection may allow for the sensors to be positioned anywhere along thevehicle without requiring an access path for wires between the sensorsand the accessories.

As stated above, the sensors may be located anywhere along the vehicle.The sensors may be positioned along or within a cabin of the vehicle.The sensors may be located on an exterior of the cargo box or thevehicle. The sensors may be positioned within an inside of the cargo boxalong an inner fender, an inside panel, a base floor of the cargo box,or a combination thereof. Additionally, the sensors may be locateddirectly on one or more accessories of the vehicle. For example, thesensors may be located directly on the tailgate, the tonneau cover, orboth of the vehicle. The sensors located directly on the accessories maystill provide a wireless connection to a portion of the accessoryoperating the accessory. An example may include placing a sensor on thetailgate and/or tonneau cover of the vehicle that is wirelesslyconnected to an actuator of the tailgate and/or tonneau cover toarticulate the tailgate and/or tonneau cover between an open positionand a closed position, or vice versa.

By locating one or more sensors directly on the accessories, a wirelesssystem for an accessory may be beneficially provided as a completeaftermarket kit. The accessory may be purchased by a consumer andinstalled on the vehicle without requiring any retrofitting of thevehicle to operate the wireless connection. Similarly, if the accessoryis installed on the vehicle by an OEM, the sensor may be completelyintegrated within the accessory to decrease components and provide aeasier mode of assembly.

Due to the wireless connection, the sensors may accommodate a variety ofvehicle configurations. The sensors may be located anywhere along theaccessories or the vehicle based upon any packaging constraints withoutrequiring redesign of wiring schematics, vehicle architecture, componentdesigns, or a combination thereof. Similarly, the sensors may beretrofit into an existing vehicle structure that may not have beeninitially designed for the sensors.

The vehicle may include a single sensor or may include a plurality ofsensors. A single sensor may operate a plurality of accessories or asingle accessory. Similarly, a plurality of sensors may operate the sameaccessories or different accessories. Thus, it may be gleaned that thesensors provide a high degree of configuration and tunability.

The sensors may trigger an operation of the accessories. The sensors maysend a signal to the accessories based upon a user input, externalsignal or both. For example, the sensors may send a signal to theaccessories based upon physical interaction by the user, wirelessinteraction by the user (i.e., the user sends a signal to the sensor,thereby triggering the sensor to send a signal to the accessory), orboth.

The sensors may be any type of sensor that facilitates operation of adesired accessory. The sensors may be a touch switch, pressure sensor,accelerometer, photodetector, inclinometer, level sensor, infrared (IR)sensor, Hall effect sensor, gyroscope, flex sensor, position sensor,photodiode, thermistor, temperature sensor, light sensor, ultrasonicsensor, acoustic sensor, or any combination thereof. Thus, a vehicle orvehicle system may include a variety of different sensor types basedupon the accessories of the vehicle.

The sensors may be battery powered. The sensors may each include adedicated battery (or battery bank) that powers each sensor. Conversely,the sensors may be powered by a battery of the vehicle. As such, thesensors may be connected to a vehicle battery via one or more wireharnesses. However, the sensors may also be independently powered via anexternal source. For example, the sensors may be solar-operated and/ormay be charged via solar-operation. As such, the sensors may include oneor more photovoltaic devices.

The sensor may be a capacitive touch sensor. As such, the sensor mayreceive a physical input from a user to trigger the sensor to send asignal to one or more accessories. The sensor may include a touch pad ortouch surface to facilitate user interaction. The touch surface or touchpad may allow a user to operate one or more accessories in a variety ofways. For example, one or more capacitive touch sensors may be wirelessconnected to the tailgate, the tonneau cover, or both to articulate thetailgate, the tonneau cover, or both between an open and closedposition, or vice versa. The capacitive touch sensor may allow forincremental operation of the tonneau cover, the tailgate, or both sothat a user may move the tonneau cover, the tailgate, or both to anumber of positioned between fully open and fully closed. Additionally,different inputs by the user (e.g., different contact motions) maytrigger different actions of the accessory. For example, initial contactby a user on the capacitive touch sensor may trigger a single panel ofthe tonneau cover to move away from a top edge of the tailgate. However,a user then dragging their finger or touching a specified location onthe sensor for a longer duration or time may then actuate the tailgatefrom a closed position to an open position, or vice versa. Therefore,the sensors may beneficially integrate an entire system of accessoriesso that interaction with a single sensor may trigger desired actions ofa plurality of accessories.

It is envisioned that the capacitive touch sensors may be locatedadjacent to, or directly on, the accessories being activated. Forexample, a capacitive touch sensor operating the tailgate may be locateddirectly on the tailgate or next to the tailgate along a surface of thecargo box. Similarly, a capacitive touch sensor operating the tonneaucover may be located directly on the tonneau cover or near the tonneaucover, such as along a top edge of the cargo box or integrated into abed cap of the cargo box. While proximity between the sensors and theaccessories being controlled may be desired, it should be noted that thesensors may be located anywhere relative to the accessories.

The sensor may be a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor may send asignal to one or more accessories based upon an external fob being adefined distance away from the sensor. Upon the fob reaching the desireddistance away from the vehicle, the sensor may receive a signal, therebytriggering the sensor to send the signal to the one or more accessories.

The defined distance away from the vehicle may be established based on aproximity circle. The proximity circle may function to define a desiredarea in which a fob or external input may trigger the sensor to send asignal. When the fob or external input is located within the confines ofthe proximity circle, the sensor may then send a signal to one or moreaccessories. When the fob or external input is located outside of theproximity circle, the sensor may remain deactivated.

When the fob or external input enters the proximity circle, the sensormay automatically send a signal to one or more accessories. For example,when the fob or external input initially enters the proximity circle,the sensor may send a signal to one or more puddle lights to turn on andilluminate at least a portion of the vehicle's perimeter. When the fobor external input leaves the proximity circle, the lights turn off andremain off until the fob or external input reaches the proximity circleagain. Additionally, the lights may remain on indefinitely when the fobor external input is within the proximity circle or may diminish after adefined duration of time regardless of whether the fob or external inputis still within the proximity circle.

Similarly, a user may be required to physically send a wireless signalto the proximity sensor to trigger activation of one or moreaccessories. For example, the user may communicate with the sensor via akey fob to turn on the one or more lights of the vehicle. If the usertries to send a command via the key fob (e.g., push a button on the keyfob) when outside of the proximity circle, the sensor will not receivethe command and/or reject the command due to the distance between thekey fob and the sensor being too far. However, when the user enters theproximity circle, the key fob may then be used to send the command tothe sensor, thereby triggering the one or more lights of the vehicle toturn on.

The proximity circle may partially or fully encapsulate the vehicle. Theproximity circle may extend completely around the vehicle. The vehiclemay include a single proximity circle or a plurality of proximitycircles for a plurality of sensors. The proximity circle may be anydesired area around the vehicle. The proximity circle may customizablebased upon an application or may be customized by a user of the vehicle.

While a fob has been described herein to communicate with a proximitysensor, the fob may communicate with any sensor on the vehicle.Additionally, the fob, sensors, and accessories may use any desired typeof wireless communication. The wireless communication may utilize radiofrequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth, near-field communication(NFC), or a combination thereof. As such, the fob may be an RFID tag,cellular device, other device having Bluetooth of Wi-Fi connection, or acombination thereof. Therefore, the present teachings advantageouslyprovide a vehicle system that may be customized using a variety ofwireless communication protocols to meet current consumer demands.

To facilitate communication between the fob and the sensors, the sensorsand the accessories, or both, one or more receivers may be located inthe sensors, the accessories, or both. The receivers may be connected tothe sensors, the accessories, or both, or the receivers may beintegrally formed with the sensors, the accessories, or both. Thereceivers may receive a signal that triggers the sensors to send asignal or the accessories to complete a desired action.

Similarly, the fob, the sensors, the accessories, or a combinationthereof may include one or more transmitters to transmit a signal to thefob, the sensors, the accessories, or a combination thereof. Thetransmitters may be connected to the fob, the sensors, the accessories,or a combination thereof. The transmitters may be integrally formed withthe fob, the sensors, the accessories, or a combination thereof.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a vehicle10. The vehicle 10 includes a cargo box 12 and a tailgate 14. As shown,the tailgate 14 is in a closed position, where the tailgate 14 is at ornear a vertical, upright position relative to the ground.

A tonneau cover 16 is placed onto a top edge 18 of the cargo box 12. Thetonneau cover 16 may protect against dirt, debris, water, othercontaminants, or a combination thereof from entering an inside 20 of thecargo box 12. The tonneau cover 16 is illustrated in the closedposition. As shown, when the tonneau cover 16 is in in the closed, thetonneau cover 16 may be in contact with, or at least partially cover, atop edge 18 of the cargo box 12. Additionally, the tonneau cover 16 inthe closed position may contact or at least partially cover a top edge22 of the tailgate 14 when the tailgate 14 is also in the closedposition.

The vehicle 10 may also include one or more sensors 32 along the topedge 18 of the cargo box 12. The sensors 32 may be in communication withone or more accessories on the vehicle 10 via a wired connection, awireless connection, or both. The sensors 32 may receive a contactand/or contactless input from a vehicle operator to activate the one ormore accessories associated with the vehicle 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of a vehicle 10. The vehicleincludes an interior cabin connected to a cargo box 12 of the vehicle.The cargo box 12 includes opposing inside fenders 26 and/or panels 28that at least partially form an inside area 20 of the cargo box 12. Thecargo box 12 may be accessed via a tailgate 14 configured to open andclose relative to the cargo box 12. Additionally, the inside area 20 ofthe cargo box 12 may be at least partially protected by a movabletonneau cover 16 having a plurality of adjustable panels 17 securedalong top edge 18 of the cargo box 12. Accordingly, the tonneau cover 16may be at least partially opened, fully opened, at least partiallyclosed, fully closed, or a combination thereof to protect the insidearea 20 of the cargo box 12, to access the inside area 20 of the cargobox 12, or both.

As shown, the vehicle 10 may include a plurality of sensors 32. Thesensors 32 may be positioned anywhere along the vehicle 10 based on adesired application. However, it is envisioned that the sensors 32 maybe located along the top edge 18 of the cargo box 12 (e.g., integratedinto bed caps of the cargo box 12) and/or along a top edge 22 of thetailgate 14. It should be noted that the positions shown in FIG. 2 aremerely exemplary locations of the sensors 32 and are no was intended tobe limiting to the teachings herein. Additionally, one or more of thesensors 32 may be integrated directly into one or more of the panels 17of the tonneau cover 16. As such, it is envisioned that the sensor 32may beneficially be integrated into the tonneau cover 16 as anaftermarket accessory. The sensor 32 on the tonneau cover 16 may thenwirelessly communicate with the vehicle 10, thereby eliminating anyadditional wiring or configuration. For example, the sensor 32 on thetonneau cover 16 may be in communication with an actuator located alongthe cargo box 12. The sensor 32 may be activated based on user input sothat the actuator may actuate the tonneau cover 16 and move the tonneaucover 16 between an open position and a closed position (see, e.g., FIG.3).

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle 10 having a pluralityof sensor 32 in communication with accessories of the vehicle 10. Thevehicle 10 includes a cargo box 12 having an inside area 20 at leastpartially formed by opposing inner fenders 26 and a movable tailgate 14.The inside area 20 of the cargo box 12 may be at least partially coveredby a tonneau cover 14 disposed along a top edge 18 of the cargo box 12.

The vehicle 10 may include one or more sensors 32 located along the topedge 18 of the cargo box 12. The sensors 32 may be positioned on a bedcap of the cargo box 12, along the tonneau cover 16, another area of thecargo box 12, or a combination thereof. For example, the sensors 32 mayalso be located along an outer fender 30 near or proximate to the topedge 18 of the cargo box. The sensors 32 may be configured to receive aninput from a vehicle operator based on physical contact, contactlessinput, or both. The sensors 32 may be in communication with one or moreaccessories of the vehicle 10, such as the tonneau cover 16, one or morelights 34, or both. For example, the sensors 32 may receive an inputfrom a user to turn on a light 34 positioned along an outer perimeter ofthe vehicle 10 to provide puddle lights around the vehicle 10 orotherwise illuminate an outer portion of the vehicle 10.

The sensors 32 may also communicate with the tonneau cover 16 based onuser input. It is envisioned that the sensors 32 may include capacitivetouch sensing to allow for manual input from the user. A capacitivetouch sensor 32A may include a contact surface so that a user mayoperate the tonneau cover 16. The input from the user on the capacitivetouch sensor 32A may trigger actuation or an actuator or other devicethat moves the tonneau cover between an open and a closed position in adesired direction D_(C), thereby moving one or more panels 17 of thetonneau cover 16. Beneficially, the capacitive touch sensor 32A may bewirelessly connected to the tonneau cover 16 and/or actuator moving thetonneau cover 16. As such, the capacitive touch sensor 32A may notrequire any wiring run through the vehicle 10, thereby decreasing costfrom materials and labor.

The vehicle 10 may also include an additional sensor 32 on the tailgate14. The sensor 32 may be positioned along a top edge 22 of the tailgate14. However, the sensor 32 may be located anywhere along the tailgate14. The sensor 32 may also be a capacitive touch sensor 32A that isconfigured to receive user input along a contact surface. The user maythus be able to move the tailgate 14 between an open position and aclosed position in a desired direction D_(T). The user input may notonly move the tailgate 14, but also move all or a portion of the tonneaucover 16. For example, when the tailgate 14 is move to a closedposition, the tonneau cover 16 may be at least partially raised to allowfor the tailgate 14 to fully close before the tonneau cover 16 islowered back onto the top edge 22 of the tailgate 14. Similarly, contactof the capacitive touch sensor 32A located on the tailgate 14 maytrigger the tonneau cover 16 to at least partially raise, therebyallowing the tailgate to open without obstruction from the tonneau cover16.

Advantageously, the sensors 32 may be in communication with more thanone accessory (e.g., the tonneau cover 16, the tailgate 14, the lights34, or a combination thereof) based upon a wireless connection. Forexample, the capacitive touch sensors 32A located on the top edge 22 ofthe tailgate 14 may communicate not only open and/or close the tailgate,but also partially move the tonneau cover 16, illuminate lights 34located inside 20 the cargo box 12, or both. The wireless connectionwith the sensors 32 may be facilitated by one or more of the accessoriesincluding a receiver 40 that may receive a signal from the sensors 32.The receiver 40 may be integrated directly into the accessories (e.g., areceiver 40 may be located directly within the lights 34 or any otheraccessory) or may be positioned adjacent to the accessory. Additionally,where movement of the tonneau cover 16 and/or the tailgate 14 istriggered by the sensors 32, the actuators may also include a receiver.

FIG. 4 illustrates the vehicle 10 shown in FIG. 2. As discussed above,the vehicle 10 includes a cargo box 12 at least partially enclosed byopposing inside panels 28 or inner fenders 26, a tailgate 14, and atonneau cover 16 disposed over a top edge 18 of the cargo box 12.

The vehicle 10 also includes a plurality of sensors 32. As discussedregarding FIG. 3 above, the sensors 32 may be capacitive touch sensors,contactless sensors, or both. The sensors 32 may send a signal to one ormore accessories, such as a light 34, the tonneau cover 16, the tailgate14, or a combination thereof to trigger a desired action. The desiredaction may, for example, be illumination of the lights 34, actuation ofan actuator connected to the tonneau cover 16, the tailgate 14, or both,unlocking of vehicle doors, triggering vehicle ignition, or acombination thereof.

One or more of the sensors 32 may also be triggered based upon proximityof a fob 38. The fob 38 may be an item often carried by a vehicle user,such as a vehicle key fob, cellular device, RFID tag, other type of fob,or a combination thereof. When the fob 38 reaches the confines of aproximity circle 36, one or more of the sensors 32 may receive a signalfrom the fob 38. The signal received by the sensor 32 may then triggerthe sensor 32 to send a command to one or more accessories of thevehicle 10. For example, when the fob 38 enters the proximity circle 36,the sensors 32 may send a signal to a receiver (see, e.g., FIG. 3) ofthe lights 34, thereby illuminating an area around the vehicle 10 (e.g.,puddle lights), illuminating an inside area 20 of the cargo box 12, orboth.

It may be gleaned from the teachings above that the sensors 32 mayinclude a receiver that receives a signal from the fob 38. The sensors32 may also include one or more transmitters that sends a signal to oneor more of the accessories. Additionally, it is envisioned that one ormore of the sensors 32 may be integrated with one or more of theaccessories. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the sensor 32 positionedalong a top edge 22 of the tailgate 14 may also include the light forilluminating a portion of the vehicle perimeter. Thus, the sensors 32may minimize a packaging footprint along the vehicle 10 while alsodecreasing manufacturing costs.

ELEMENT LIST

10 Vehicle

12 Cargo Box

14 Tailgate

16 Tonneau Cover

17 Tonneau Cover Panel

18 Top Edge of the Cargo Box

20 Inside of the Cargo Box

22 Top Edge of Tailgate

26 Inner Fender

28 Inside Panel

30 Outer Fender

32 Sensor

32A Capacitive Touch Sensor

34 Light

36 Proximity Circle

38 Fob

D_(C) Direction of Opening/Closing the Tonneau Cover

D_(T) Direction of Opening/Closing the Tailgate

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended toacquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles,and its practical application. The above description is intended to beillustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art may adapt andapply the invention in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to therequirements of a particular use.

Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present invention as setforth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings.The scope of the teachings should, therefore, be determined not withreference to this description, but should instead be determined withreference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled. The omission in thefollowing claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosedherein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it beregarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to bepart of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

Plural elements or steps can be provided by a single integrated elementor step. Alternatively, a single element or step might be divided intoseparate plural elements or steps.

The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element or step is notintended to foreclose additional elements or steps.

While the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be used to distinguish oneelement, component, region, layer or section from another region, layeror section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical termswhen used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from theteachings.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

Unless otherwise stated, a teaching with the term “about” or“approximately” in combination with a numerical amount encompasses ateaching of the recited amount, as well as approximations of thatrecited amount. By way of example, a teaching of “about 100” encompassesa teaching of 100 +/−15.

The disclosures of all articles and references, including patentapplications and publications, are incorporated by reference for allpurposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned fromthe following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by referenceinto this written description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for a vehicle comprising: (a) anaccessory positioned along the vehicle; and (b) a sensor located alongthe vehicle in communication with the accessory, wherein the sensortriggers activation of the accessory based on input from an externalsource.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is positioned alonga top edge of the cargo box.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein thesensor is integrated into a bed cap of the cargo box.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the sensor is a capacitive touch sensor that receives asignal based on a user contacting the sensor, and the sensor sends asignal to the accessory to activate the accessory.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the accessory is a tonneau cover disposed over a topedge of the cargo box, and the sensor wirelessly sends a signal to anactuator of the tonneau cover to move the tonneau cover between an openposition and a closed position, or vice versa.
 6. The system of claim 4,wherein the accessory is a tailgate at least partially enclosing thecargo box, and the sensor wirelessly sends a signal to an actuator ofthe tailgate to move the tailgate between an open position and a closedposition, or vice versa.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensorreceives a contactless input from an external source when the externalsource is within a defined proximity to the sensor.
 8. The system ofclaim 7, wherein upon receiving the contactless input, the sensoractivates the accessory.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the externalsource is a fob that sends a signal to the sensor when entering thedefined proximity, thereby triggering the sensor to activate a light ofthe vehicle.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the accessory is atailgate at least partially enclosing the cargo box, a tonneau coverdisposed over at least a portion of the cargo box, or both.
 11. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the sensor is located on a tailgate of thevehicle.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the accessory is a lightlocated within an inner area of the cargo box, and the sensor activatesthe light to illuminate the inner area of the cargo box.
 13. The systemof claim 1, wherein the accessory includes a receiver that receives asignal from the sensor based on the input from the external source. 14.The system of claim 1, wherein the external source is a vehicle key fob,cellular device, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, or acombination thereof.
 15. The system of claim 5, wherein the sensor is acapacitive touch sensor that wirelessly controls movement of the tonneaucover between the open position and the closed position based upon auser contacting the sensor.
 16. The system of claim 6, wherein thesensor is a capacitive touch sensor that wirelessly controls movement ofthe tailgate between the open position and the closed position basedupon a user contacting the sensor.
 17. The system of claim 6, whereinthe system is free of any wiring running between the sensor and theaccessory.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the accessory is a tonneaucover disposed over a top edge of the cargo box, and the sensor isintegrated directly into the tonneau cover to wirelessly activatemovement of the tonneau cover.
 19. A system for a vehicle having a cargobox at least partially enclosed by a tailgate, the system comprising:(a) a tonneau cover disposed over a top edge of the cargo box, thetailgate, or both; (b) lights located along an exterior of the cargobox, an interior of the cargo box, or both; (c) a first sensor locatedon the cargo box or the tonneau cover in wireless communication with thetonneau cover to actuate the tonneau cover between an open position anda closed position, or vice versa; (d) a second sensor located on thecargo box or the tailgate in wireless communication with the tailgate toactuate the tailgate between an open position and a closed position, orvice versa; and (e) a third sensor located on the cargo box, thetailgate, or the tonneau cover in wireless communication with a light ofthe vehicle; wherein the first sensor and the second sensor arecapacitive touch sensors that actuate the tonneau cover and thetailgate, respectively, based upon a user contacting the touch sensor;and wherein the third sensor is a proximity sensor that receives awireless signal from a fob when the fob enters a defined proximitycircle around the vehicle.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the firstsensor and the second sensor actuate both the tonneau cover and thetailgate.